Ace Physiotherapy and Sports in Singapore
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+65 81535374 -
ACE PHYSIO SPORTS
East gate Building, 46 East Coast Road
#08-03 Singapore 428766 -
Opening Hours
Mon to Fri: 08:00am - 8:00pm -
Opening Hours
Sat: 08:00am - 4:00pm
Sunday (By prior appointment)
Sub Acromial Decompression
Sub-acromial decompression is an arthroscopic surgical procedure designed to increase the space beneath the acromion, allowing for smoother, pain-free shoulder movement. The shoulder complex comprises three main joints — the glenohumeral joint, acromio-clavicular joint, and sterno-clavicular joint. Working together with the surrounding muscles, these joints ensure coordinated and efficient movement while preventing painful conditions. However, when any part of this system fails to function correctly, it can lead to a chain reaction of dysfunction, predisposing the shoulder to specific conditions. One of the most common of these is sub-acromial impingement, where the structures beneath the acromion become irritated or compressed during movement.
Sub-acromial impingement occurs when the rotator cuff tendons, which lie beneath the acromion, become compressed, leading to inflammation and pain. The rotator cuff muscles originate from the scapula and attach to the upper part of the humerus via tendons that pass under the acromion. Beneath this area also lies a bursa, a small fluid-filled sac that reduces friction between tissues. When compressed, the bursa can also become inflamed and painful, worsening symptoms.
Primary Impingement
Caused by structural narrowing of the sub-acromial space.
Commonly due to bony abnormalities such as a hooked acromion, bone spurs, or thickening of the coracoacromial ligament.
These changes physically reduce the space available for the rotator cuff tendons, leading to compression and irritation.
Secondary Impingement
Caused by functional instability of the shoulder rather than structural issues.
Results from muscle imbalance, poor posture, or weakness of the rotator cuff and scapular stabilising muscles.
The humeral head fails to remain centred in the glenoid socket during movement, causing the tendons to impinge against the acromion.
Each of these types of impingement results in compression of the rotator cuff muscles, leading to pain, inflammation, and restricted or debilitating shoulder movement. When conventional treatments such as rest, medication, and physiotherapy have been exhausted without sufficient improvement, a sub-acromial decompression procedure may be performed. This surgery is then followed by an intensive physiotherapy programme aimed at addressing the underlying physiological issues, restoring muscular balance, and promoting optimal shoulder function.
Physiotherapy prior to Sub-acromial Decompression
Physiotherapy is a vital and highly effective treatment for sub-acromial impingement. One of the main issues associated with this condition is scapular dyskinesis, which refers to abnormal movement or positioning of the shoulder blade. Acephysiosports.com will focus on correcting these muscular imbalances to restore proper scapular alignment and ensure accurate biomechanical shoulder movement, thereby preventing further encroachment of the sub-acromial space. In addition, Acephysiosports.com will assist in managing acute pain episodes and addressing underlying pathologies related to impingement, helping to reduce symptoms and improve overall shoulder function.
- Physiotherapy is a vital and highly effective treatment for sub-acromial impingement.
- A major issue linked with this condition is scapular dyskinesis (abnormal shoulder blade movement).
- Acephysiosports.com focuses on correcting muscular imbalances to restore proper scapular alignment.
- Treatment ensures accurate biomechanical shoulder movement and prevents further impingement.
- Physiotherapy also helps manage acute pain episodes effectively.
- Underlying pathologies contributing to impingement are identified and treated.
- The overall goal is to reduce symptoms, improve mobility, and restore full shoulder function.
Symptoms following Sub-acromial Decompression
Following sub-acromial decompression surgery, your shoulder will be supported in a protective sling for comfort and safety, which you will be encouraged to remove within about four days. During the initial recovery period, it is normal to experience pain and swelling around the shoulder joint, bruising in the upper arm area, stiffness, and reduced range of movement. You may also notice some weakness in the shoulder muscles and mild discomfort when moving the arm. A feeling of fatigue or heaviness in the operated arm is common, and occasional clicking or popping sensations may occur as healing progresses. These symptoms generally improve gradually with guided physiotherapy and adherence to your recovery plan.
- Pain and swelling around the shoulder joint
- Bruising around the upper arm and shoulder area
- Stiffness and reduced range of movement
- Weakness in the shoulder muscles
- Mild discomfort when moving the arm
- Fatigue or heaviness in the operated arm
- Occasional clicking or popping sensations during early recovery
Physiotherapy following Sub-acromial Decompression
Following surgery, acephysiosports.com will conduct a comprehensive assessment of your shoulder to understand the specifics of your surgical procedure and identify areas of weakness that require attention. Based on this evaluation, acephysiosports.com will design and implement a personalized rehabilitation program tailored to your target areas and individual recovery goals, ensuring a safe and effective return to full shoulder function.
Weeks 1–3
Initial treatment will concentrate on managing acute post-surgical symptoms and minimizing potential complications. Early intervention will address and correct any muscle imbalances to restore proper biomechanical movement and prevent secondary issues from developing.
- Manage acute post-surgical symptoms and reduce complications
- Correct muscle imbalances to restore proper biomechanical movement
- Prevent secondary problems from developing
Weeks 4–6
After 3 weeks of physiotherapy with Physio.co.uk, you will have regained mobility in your arm and noticed improvements in strength and function. The next phase of your rehabilitation will focus on progressing these gains through continued exercises. At this stage, strengthening exercises and functional tasks will be incorporated to further enhance your shoulder’s performance and support everyday activities.
- Regain mobility in your arm
- Improve strength and function
- Progress exercises from previous weeks
- Incorporate strengthening exercises
- Include functional tasks
Weeks 7–12
acephysiosports.com will now intensify your rehabilitation to help you achieve your surgery milestones and return to sporting and recreational activities as soon as possible. The programme will place a strong focus on regaining full range of movement, improving shoulder stability, and increasing strength throughout the range of motion to prevent future recurrence of symptoms.
- Intensify rehabilitation to reach surgery milestones
- Return to sporting and recreational activities quickly
- Attain full range of movement
- Improve shoulder stability
- Increase strength throughout range of motion
- Prevent future recurrence of symptoms
Weeks 12+
Following 12 weeks of intense physiotherapy with acephysiosports.com, your shoulder will be returning to its pre-operative state, and you will have seen considerable improvements in movement, strength, and function. The goals now are to maintain and build on these outcomes while gradually reintegrating into sporting and recreational activities. Complete recovery may take up to 6 months, and acephysiosports.com will continue to provide effective rehabilitation to ensure a safe and timely return to all activities.
- Return of pre-operative shoulder movement, strength, and function
- Maintenance and improvement of rehabilitation outcomes
- Gradual reintegration into sporting and recreational activities
- Prevention of future injuries or re-injury
- Ongoing support from acephysiosports.com to ensure a safe and timely return to all activities
Summary
To arrange an assessment with AcephysioSports.com, please contact us or call +65 8153 5374. Alternatively, you can book an appointment online today!
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